A journal of meditations for every day in the year gathered out of divers authors / written first in Latine by N.B. ; and newly translated into English by E.M. in ... 1669.

Of the Disciples return from Preaching.* 1.1

COnsider 1. How the Disciples being returned from Preaching, and something touched with vain glory (as the H. Fathers expound) for having cast out Devils,* 1.2 said, Lord, the Devils also are subject to us. Whence you may see how surtle a vice vain glory is, that insinuates it self even into the actions of the Apostles; that you may so much the more beware of it your self.

Consider 2. Christs Reprehension: I saw Sata•• as a Lightning falling from Heaven: as if he should say, as Satan in the beginning fell down, as Light∣ning from Heaven, for his haughtiness and pride, so do you take heed, least being puffed up with vain glory, you come to be involved in the same ru∣ine; that you may learn always to stand in fear, and that no state or condition whatsoever, even of Apo∣stles, or Angels, is secure from falling.

* 1.3Consider 3. Rejoyce not in this, that the Spirits are subject unto you, but rejoyce in this, that your names are written in Heaven: True joy is found only in solid virtue, and hopes of Eternal Life, not in special favours, or miraculous gifts, which ought ra∣ther to cause in us fear, and caution, least we abuse them: Learn therefore to seek content of mind on∣ly in heavenly things: The joys of this world are but vain and counterfeited; The joy of the Hypocrite (that is of the deceitful world) as it were for a mo∣ment, saith Job: Heavenly content alone is everlast∣ing, according to that,* 1.4 Everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sor∣row and mourning shall fly away.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luc. 10.17
• * 1.2

  SS. Greg. Hieron. Cypr. apud Barad.
• * 1.3

  Job 20.5.
• * 1.4

  Is 35.10.